Credit: Montgomery County.
A state tax break program designed to help low-income individuals and improve distressed areas has delivered $508,550 to agencies in Montgomery County that help to advance those goals.
The funding is part of $7.5 million that was delivered to Southeast Pennsylvania and roughly $70 million statewide as part of the Neighborhood Assistance Program, which provides tax credits to businesses that contribute to nonprofit organizations’ efforts to revitalize communities. A total of 405 projects across the commonwealth are being supported.
Through the NAP, businesses can receive tax credits of up to 95 percent on contributions they make to a qualifying community project.
Of the 87 programs being supported in the Southeast region, comprised of Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties, here are the projects being supported in Montgomery County.
• Genesis Housing Corporation in Pottstown — $95,000, year 4 of 6 — Pottstown has an older housing stock with many buildings showing signs of deterioration. Blighted properties impact the entire borough. Genesis partners with community organizations to support revitalization efforts to improve safety, housing, property facades, rehab grants, housing counseling and neighborhood engagement. These programs support lower-income residents and serve as a catalyst for change. KeyBank is the contributor.
• Genesis Housing Corporation in Pottstown — $81,000 — Genesis will provide grants to low-income homeowners in Pottstown for critical home repairs, focusing on heating systems and roofs. The project aims to preserve affordable housing and prevent displacement by addressing unsafe living conditions for at-risk populations, including seniors and the disabled. Peoples Security Bank & Trust, Truist Bank are the contributors.
• Pottstown Area Economic Development Inc. — $15,750 — With this project, PAED enhances public safety and community trust in the 300 block of E. High Street in Pottstown. This project will install a new security camera to complete the police department’s surveillance system for the area. Additionally, new street lighting on five to six storefronts will be installed to improve visibility and increase a sense of security for residents. Peoples Security Bank & Trust Company is the contributor.
• RSVP Volunteers Pottstown/Norristown — $51,300 — RSVP Volunteers will provide critical Math and Reading support to at-risk and vulnerable students in Pottstown and Norristown school districts. RSVP will also support family literacy for Pre-K MCIU Head Start students and their families, in addition to offering essential digital literacy skills training across Montgomery County, both directly and in collaboration with partners. Baker & Baker Associates, Univest, Peoples Security Bank, Trust and TriState Capital Bank are the contributors.
• Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery and Delaware Counties, King of Prussia — $130,500 — Habitat will acquire and rehabilitate two housing units in Montgomery and Delaware Counties. The homes will be brought to “like-new” condition and sold affordably to income-qualified families, who will contribute “sweat equity.” This project addresses the need for sustainable, affordable homeownership by creating safe, quality housing. Mid Penn Bank, Harleysville Bank, Peoples Security Bank & Trust are the contributors.
• Hedwig House Inc. Lansdale— $45,000 — Hedwig’s Housing Stability Initiative assists at-risk, low-income adults with mental illness and other vulnerabilities to obtain and maintain safe, affordable housing in Lansdale. It will provide group classes and individual support and offset costs by distributing free household items, clothing and food. This project would improve lives by fostering affordable housing and housing stability. JL Freed and Sons, Inc. is the contributor.
• Housing Development Corporation MidAtlantic, Norristown — $45,000 — With this project, Housing Development Corporation MidAtlantic (HDC) plans to rehabilitate 42 one-bedroom apartments at Norriswood Apartments in Norristown. First Citizens Community Bank is the contributor.
• Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center, Plymouth Meeting— $22,500 — This project plans to address child abuse in Montgomery County, particularly in low-income communities, by building a new Child Advocacy Center. The goal is to expand medical and mental health services to reduce barriers to care for more than 700 victims annually and improve health equity. M&T Bank is the contributor.
• Variety, the Children’s Charity of the Delaware Valley, Worcester — $22,500 — Variety will offer a pathway to waiver registration and provide a free summer day camp experience, with transportation, for Pottstown youth with disabilities. No other organization in Pottstown offers educational and vocational services for youth with disabilities, and many with disabilities, as well as their families, are unaware of the important financial support waivers provide for a lifetime. TD Bank is the contributor.
“These Neighborhood Assistance Program projects will deliver meaningful benefits for individuals and families, support low-income areas in ways few programs can, and promote the vital public-private partnerships that put communities on a path to fiscal health and long-term prosperity, ”said Rick Siger, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, which manages the program.
